Police join search to locate missing man

Wiltshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in locating Adam Wilmott, 39, from Swindon. He was homeless but stayed at local hostels or with friends

POLICE have joined in the search for 39-year-old Adam Wilmott three years after the homeless man disappeared from Great Western Hospital.

Adam’s family lost contact with him in September 2011, and despite efforts to locate him themselves and with the Salvation Army tracing department, they have not yet found him.

He was reported as a missing person to Wiltshire Police last month, prompting a local search.

Police now know that Adam was last seen at Great Western Hospital on September 27, 2011, after being discharged, but has not been seen or heard from since.

Adam has ongoing medical issues which require regular medication and police are concerned there does not seem to be any indication of treatment since 2011.

Adam is described as white, medium build with short brown hair on the sides of his head but bald on top. He normally has facial hair in the shape of a goatee.

Wiltshire Police are specifically appealing for anyone who owns any derelict buildings or outhouses to search these.

Insp Paul Saunders, of Swindon town centre policing team, said: “Adam’s family had concerns for him because he chose a different lifestyle to their own. He always kept in contact with them, and when that stopped they engaged with the Salvation Army initially to help find him.

“They help find people who do not necessarily want to be found, but were unable to locate Adam in that time.

That is when the family came to police.”

Insp Saunders said the search will be rolled out nationally with the help of charities in case Adam has left the local area.

“The Salvation Army have conducted a thorough investigation, and they are now utilising the resources we have available,” he said.

“We are concerned for Adam’s welfare. Because he did not have a permanent home we need to consider places he could be staying. We are looking at mapping derelict buildings in the town and coming up with a plan of action.

“We need to work on the pretext that Adam is safe somewhere. There is no indication he has left the country but we do have that three-year gap. We need to account for that.

“By reporting him to charities such as Missing People, we can get that appeal out across the country. If Adam has moved on those enquiries are already being made elsewhere.

“Adam does have a number of medical issues for which we do not believe he has had any treatment since September 2011, which is a cause for concern.”

Anyone with information as to Adam’s whereabouts or anyone who may have seen Adam since 2011, should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.